HomeYour learningConcerned about gaining a qualification for registration? Hear from some workers who say there is nothing to worry about

Concerned about gaining a qualification for registration? Hear from some workers who say there is nothing to worry about

19/07/2017

Here’s some case studies from people who have gained their qualification for registration that will help clear up some myths and worries that your employees may be feeling about completing a qualification.

David Watson

David Watson

Job title: Personal Development Worker, C-Change
SSSC Register: Will register as a worker in a care at home service.

Why did you decide to work in care? Where do you work?

I’m 46 and for the last 20 or so years I’ve worked in engineering. To be honest I found this career choice soulless. I ached to do something altogether more fulfilling. That is when I went to work for C-Change in Glasgow as a personal development worker (PDW).

What does your role involve?

Once I started at C-Change I was matched with a gentleman of similar age who’s goal it was to get out and about in his local community more. He required support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in his own home to keep him safe and well.

As a PDW I’m tasked with strengthening community ties he has and developing new ones. I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting things for him to do and encouraging an overall sense of inclusion and wellbeing.

What qualification did you complete and what did it involve?

As a PDW, my own personal development is also key so when the opportunity arose to study the SVQ3 in Health and Social Care with my organisation I jumped at the chance. I applied and was accepted and began the course where I studied at the organisations offices, with five of my peers for one day a week with the support of an assessor. This allowed me to continue supporting the person I work for, and study at the same time, putting everything I was learning directly and immediately into practice.

What challenges did you face when you were completing the qualification?

We were expected to study (in addition to classwork) in our own time. To begin with I found the expectation to complete coursework in my own time difficult as I always seemed to have something else to do. I soon realised that it was in my own best interests to keep up as the weeks just flew by, as did the units. I quickly became quite adept at putting aside time to complete reflective accounts, if only little bits at a time. As time passed I became better and better at this.

How did you feel when you completed the qualification?

When I completed the SVQ the sense of elation was fantastic. I knew I now had all the skills required to go about my work safely and competently and be able to deliver the person I work for an even greater level of service.

What would you say to other workers who are about to start a qualification?

For any prospective candidates who wonder whether to choose an SVQ3 just ask yourself this ‘do you want to provide the best levels of care and support, to the people you work for, equipped with the best knowledge?’. If the answer is ‘yes’ then this is for you.

Flora MacVicar

Flora MacVicar

Job title: Health and Well-being Coordinator, Tenancy Support Service
SSSC Register: Will register as a worker in a care at home service

What does your current role involve?

I currently support tenants who are struggling within their tenancies for a minimum of eight weeks (maximum 12). I receive referrals from the tenants housing officers and go out and visit them within their homes and identify areas where support is needed. I then support the tenant to link into services that will assist them and also source what’s available within the community they live.

What qualification did you complete?

I completed the SVQ3 Social Care. It took seven months.

What did gaining the qualification involve?

I had to complete a pre-assessment before being accepted on the course. I attended a day’s training where I got all the information/course work and information on how I would be assessed and how I should complete it. At this session, after our pre-assessment we started and had a deadline on when to be completed and returned.

After this was completed I started to complete the course work. I’d meet with my assessor weekly at the service where I worked. She’d go over the work I had completed and advise me, she’d also carry out observational assessments when I was supporting a tenant. My assessor would set me timescales for when I had to have things completed so this helped me keep focused.

Did you face any challenges when you completed the qualification?

The challenges I faced were my own doubts, as I hadn’t studied for a long time. It took a while to become confident in what I was doing. With the support from my assessor and other work colleagues, I thankfully got through it.

I was very relieved when I completed it and pleased in achieving my first qualification in social care.

What would you say to other workers who are about to start a qualification?

I would encourage people not to worry if they haven’t studied for a long time and to believe in themselves. You can achieve it with the support from your assessor and your work colleagues.

Asaad Al Shaikhli

Assad Al Shaikhli

Job title: Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, Loretto Care Tenancy Support Service
SSSC Register: Will register as a worker in a care at home/housing support service.

What does your current role involve?

My current role involves supporting people to maintain their tenancy. I use tools to identify the areas the people we work for need support with and identify any risk in their lives. We work together with housing officers.

What qualification did you complete for registration with the SSSC?

SVQ 3 in Health and Social Care.

What did gaining the qualification involve?

I completed the qualification at my work. I had an internal assessor from work which our training department organised. I had to gather and submit evidence for the qualification to my assessor.

Did you face any challenges when you were completing the qualification?

My background is in engineering and I hadn’t completed a social care qualification before. The SVQ was quite different to my previous qualifications which didn’t include providing written evidence or being assessed in practice. Knowing I had to write evidence to cover all the points took a bit of getting used to and I’d sometimes have to add to my evidence if I hadn’t given enough information the first time.

English isn’t my first language so that made it difficult. Although I think completing the SVQ had a positive effect on my English, especially my writing.

How did you feel when you completed the qualification?

My knowledge increased and I now have more understanding about the work we are doing and the legislation.

What would you say to other workers who are about to start a qualification?

If you want to work in the social services sector it is very important to complete a qualification. My assessor, management and work colleagues were very supportive and helpful which made it much easier to complete than I thought it would.

Concerned about gaining a qualification for registration? Hear from some workers who say there is nothing to worry about was last modified: September 21st, 2017 by Sandra Wilson